cloudburst

Out of interest, what was it that you didn't like about the SR5 tone when playing at home? CB

To the OP - I think the question needs a bit of definition. You want a bass that is more adaptable than ALL other basses. But it also has to be a "classic" bass. So, depending upon precisely what criteria you mean by "classic", there may not actually exist such a beast. CB

Really thinking of going for the XL-2 for the following reasons: - I'll be at the institute from September doing a course so the XL-2 would be easy to transport to and fro (as opposed to the Bongo which lives in its hard case) - For some reason I've really bonded with my Bongo and would like to keep it mint, so the Steinberger could take the abuse of being in college every day - It would hold its money for me as well if not better than having the money sat in a bank Does all this seem like sound logic? Or am I just trying to convince myself? Is there a Steinberger-specific downside of any sort? CB PS: Is that Robbie Shakespeare in the photo?

To the Moderators: Can you please give us an "Unfollow Post" button? CB

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1356964027' post='1915693'] As someone has mentioned the front windows has small sliding inserts like rally cars used to have although this one wasn't a rally car. I spent some time in Radbournes trying to find the 'Turbo 2' decals and the correct pinstripes. Remember pinstripes on cars? I knew a bloke who did pinstripng for living. Nothing else, just pinstripes and car decals! [/quote] I only have two spare parts left. One is a side grill in front of the right rear wheel arch. The other (coincidentally) is a Turbo2 decal roll - purchased from Radbourne Racing (that's why you couldn't find them!) CB

[quote name='Toddy' timestamp='1356957012' post='1915519'] most popular music at min, really isn't in 5 string territory [/quote] What does this mean? 5 strings aren't just about lower notes. They are also about being able to play the same passages across the fretboard rather than along it, meaning you can stay in the one position. And they are also obviously about having a good thumb-rest for the e-string :-) CB

[quote name='mrdreadful' timestamp='1356948618' post='1915368'] If you're doing classic rock covers why would you need to improvise? Genuinely confused. [/quote] To make them bearable. To stop yourself going to sleep. To get through those that (shock) you don't know, haven't played before and haven't had the time to learn before the impromptu gig. CB

+1 for both of Mog's posts. Speaking a lot of sense. CB

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1356911338' post='1915165'] I worked for a body repair shop and drove a few of them. I had to drive one that had just had been re-shelled across South London to Radbourne Racing in Wimbledon to match up the decals and striping. It was a boiling hot day and the Turbo 2 didn't have it's engine cowling on (as it was still being repaired) and it was so noisy and hot and it has those front windows with the sliding inserts. It got so hot that at every traffic jam i had to open the door to cool down. Great fun though! I bet that they are worth a fortune nowadays. [/quote] Radbourne Racing on the main street through Wimbledon!!! Blast from the past - that's where I used to get my spares! Not sure what you mean by the front windows having sliding inserts - mine were ordinary bronze tinted glass with manual winders! CB

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1356902090' post='1915023'] I drove these in the late 80s. Great fun but very hot in the summer with the engine being just behind you. As the only place for a bass is next to you in the passengers seat means you're never going to forget that you've got it with you. [/quote] Where did you get yours? What was the spec? Mine was an '85 sourced from Renault Munich Export Sales and bought through Renault Boutique, Champs Élysées, Paris. Did you drive yours as your everyday car or just as a weekend plaything? I used to carry my HH combo on top of the engine bay, anchored by those straps that were fitted. It meant I had very little rear viz, which in a left hooker was challenging at times :-) CB

Enjoyed the song. Singer reminds me of Eddie Tudorpole a bit. How come two bassists? CB

In the mid 80s: And now in 2012: CB

I've owned 3 Defenders. A 110 and two 90s. None of them broke down to be fair. However, the rear crossmember accumulated surface rust from new, at an alarming rate per hour. Also, corrosion appeared in the numerous places where Land Rover saw fit to have aluminium interfacing directly with steel. And they were absolutely ATROCIOUS to drive on the road. CB

The XL2 is the headless, usually black, composite materials cricket bat Pete. CB

Valid tags are: Sub-Zero / Take or Leave / Seriously Uncool What's the general opinion on Steinbergers? I've been offered a mint XL2 from the mid 80s and it might be handy to commute with when I start at "The Institute" next year. CB

You've just given me a great idea for a thread! CB

Here we go. Found it!... CB

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1356880324' post='1914626'] If you want out and out reliability in a 4x4, there's really only one answer... Lada Niva. But i doubt that CB is after a 40 year old, russian engineered, petrol mini off roader. They are pretty cheap though. [/quote] I'd mentioned earlier in the thread that I drove a road-going version of the group-B rally car (the mid-engined Renault 5 Turbo2) as my everyday transport in the late 80s. You probably think I'm making this up - but you'll definitely think it's too much of a coincidence if I told you that at that time I also owned a Lada Niva! The Lada was built like a tank. But that was its only plus point. The electrics were an absolute joke. If only one bulb blew in a journey - that was a good day! The driver's seat rail screws came loose one day and the seat actually came adrift whilst I was driving. Additionally the paint on the seams between the body panels was actually cracked on delivery from brand new. Hideous machine that only made me smile when a random man knocked on my door one day and offered me £600 less than I'd paid for it - after two and a half years ownership. By the way - if you don't believe all this, I think I should be able to find a photo from that era if it's of any interest. CB

Makes sense. Just need to make sure you get all that playing done on it - the playing that you wanted to do on the original one :-) Hope you enjoy. I'm a bit like that with rare cars. I go to great lenghts to get a peach - but then I leave it out in all weathers and use it as an ordinary car - whilst other collectors shudder in disbelief :-) CB

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1356782541' post='1913491'] Anyway I would turn up for the jazz/blues gig with my upright [/quote] Personally, I'd turn up at the jazz/blues night with a good book to read. CB

Just to re-re-re-re-iterate :-) - needs to be 4wd. And not a cinquecento etc. CB

Reading with bemusement. Wonder what would fit better in a motown band: 4-string Bongo or 5-string Fender? :-) CB

Hey Rick - enjoy it mate. Not trying to take anything away from your purchase at all - I was really just wondering what it gave you over and above the original. Law of Diminishing Returns - it's just about your first bass/drink/whatever giving you a big buzz and each successive one giving you progressively less of a hit. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diminishing_returns CB

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1356710032' post='1912771'] There was a lot of that going on around here for a short while. They would generally steal a big digger from a nearby construction site, haul the ATM out of it's mountings (most ATMs here are completely cased in in their own little brick shelter), throw it on the back of a lorry or flatbed transit, and take it to a shed somewhere nearby. Don't know if they ever actually caught anyone for it. [/quote] They did. I believe one of the first recorded incidents was in Ballyholme, Northern Ireland where I grew up. I was going to work one day, and never having heard of such an incident, got a hell of a laugh from seeing the hole in the bank, seeing the digger nearby and putting 2 and 2 together. :-) The thieves were caught scratching their heads, sitting around the unopened ATM, in the middle of a field 5 miles away. Professionals :-) CB

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1356713068' post='1912841'] In terms of styling the Japs get it so wrong 99% of the time, but every now and then they luck out IMV.. The Germans do the top end really well where everything JUST IS.....and they have fine engines.. but the Japs lose nothing to them in terms of engineering with the Germans just shading it in the overall package. IMO. So sure, a Jap car isn't a German car but it probably beats everything else bar the finest.. RE 4x4 and AWD, most Chelsea tractors can make a decent stab at a few tricky driving issues, but they are raod going cars which are an all round joy to drive.... and you would have to be a saint to put up with one or two REAL 4x4's on the road for any lenght of time. Pick your compromise motoring style.. [/quote] Agreed - I have owned 3 Defenders over the years. I've driven more comfortable ride-on lawnmowers TBH. The only things I can remember being more uncomfortable was my old VW splittie and falling head-first into a bramble bush. The newer model Jeep Wrangler is great though. Really easy to live with. Jap cars' looks would turn milk sour. So I, being a bit shallow, will avoid. CB